How to Glue Picture Frames Together

By Crystal R Widger ; Updated September 15, 2017

Things Needed

Flat clean work area

Newspaper

4 already cut wood pieces

4 picture frame corner clamps

Carpenter's square

Wood glue

Small clean, mildly moist rag

Most go to the store to purchase a picture frame to replace a damaged one, instead of fixing it at home. Don't throw out a good frame that needs only a bit of glue. They require patience and precision if you want to create a perfectly angled frame. It may take a few tries, but with practice, picture frames are quite simple to put together.

Lay newspaper on to a flat work area. Place the wood pieces in the correct position before clamping or gluing. The edge of the mitered wood is cut at a forty-five degree angle. The wood pieces make a ninety-degree angle in each corner of the frame once placed together.

Practice using the clamp if you have never used one before. Place the clamps on each corner of the picture frame. Slowly tighten the clamp. Use the carpenter's square to make certain the angle stays at a ninety-degree angle.

Loosen and remove the clamps. Apply the wood glue to the mitered ends. Carefully place the ends together. Wipe any excess glue away with the rag.

Place the clamps on one corner of the frame, slowly tightening until the clamps are firmly in place. The glue makes it slippery, so use caution. Use the carpenter's square to ensure a ninety-degree angle as you tighten each one.

Allow to sit 24 hours with the clamps in place, allowing the glue to dry. Remove the clamps once the glue dries.

Tip

Take your time. You will not glue the perfect picture frame together by rushing through the process. Use dowel plugs, biscuits, corrugated nails, or brads to reinforce the corners of the frame, working with the glue.

Warning

Using other items to reinforce the corner's of the frame is recommended for soft wood, not hard wood.

References

About the Author

Since 2009, Crystal Widger has contributed to a variety of online publications. Many of these topics covered health, fitness, woodworking, gardening, sociology, psychology, economics, and pets. Widger holds a Bachelor of Arts in psychology, with plans to pursue her MBA in the near future.